Research

CareFlight, through research and development of both systems and equipment, has had a major role in the evolution of critical care transport systems in Australia, especially in NSW.

Of particular note is the CareFlight Stretcher Bridge System, a mobile intensive care unit developed in 1987. The unit enables all monitoring, ventilation and infusion devices to be securely transported with the patient, regardless of retrieval mode. Similar systems have since become the standard in Australasia and other parts of the world, such as North America and Europe. CareFlight is currently developing a new generation, lighter and more flexible Stretcher Bridge, expected to enter service within 12 months.

Over the past few years, much time and energy has been devoted to HIRT, a major clinical trial to evaluate the impact of advanced pre-hospital medical interventions in the treatment of severe head injury. It is envisioned that the trial will demonstrate that delivery of a critical care doctor/paramedic team to the scene of an accident will improve recovery outcomes for severely head injured patients.

CareFlight medical staff have, over the past decade, published numerous research articles in both scientific peer reviewed and general interest medical journals related to aero-medical transport and critical care retrieval. To view these articles, please see Medical Publications .

CareFlight maintains an ongoing commitment to improving the safety and outcomes of critically ill and injured patients requiring treatment in the pre-hospital and transport environment. The Research Sub-committee of the CareFlight Medical Committee meets every two months.